An independent report released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) on Sunday lauds the Australian government’s efforts in tackling elder abuse through its National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians. The evaluation deemed the plan “valuable,” having addressed the emerging and growing problem of elder abuse in the context of the country’s ageing population.
The report scrutinized the National Plan’s effectiveness, efficiency, and overall appropriateness by leveraging case studies, surveys, and interviews. It found that the plan significantly enhanced understanding of the nature and prevalence of elder abuse and facilitated collective action among different jurisdictions. Notably, a community survey by AIFS indicated that more than two-thirds of participants had encountered information on elder abuse via campaigns, media, or online platforms.
Implemented from 2019 to 2023, the National Plan aimed to mitigate the increasing incidence of elder abuse, a concern amplified by concerns that overseas studies suggest affect up to 12 percent of elders. The Australian context has been marked by slightly higher figures, with a 2021 AIFS study estimating elder abuse rates to be around 15 percent.
The initiative concentrated efforts on five priority areas:
- Strengthening service responses
- Helping people better plan for their future
- Strengthening safeguards for vulnerable elders
- Building understanding of elder abuse
- Building community awareness of elder abuse
According to the World Health Organization, elder abuse involves acts or lack of actions within trusted relationships, causing harm or distress to older persons. Given the expected doubling of the global population aged sixty and over between 2015 and 2050, this issue has garnered global attention.
AIFS recommended continued focus on prevention and detection of abuse, improving the capacity of services for affected individuals, and revisiting the accessibility of criminal law for victims. These guidelines will assist in shaping the next national plan, currently under development, as outlined by Australian Attorney General Mark Dreyfus (here).